So far this week

• Posted by mcbeev on July 27, 2006
• 0 comments

I golfed a 45. That's the best I've done in a long time. I even had a birdie. Im pretty worthless at home, my motiviation has been totally devistated by the heat, or mabye I just dont really have motivation to begin with.

I hit a bird on the drive into work today. Yeah it was pretty crazy. I saw it go flying off in my rear view mirror afterwards, it was not good for him Im sure.

Tonight is round II of our NoWaterBall sponsorship for Amp's @ the Ampitheatre. Hopefully we raise more money than last time and it doesnt rain.

Wendy's is going to replace the chinese place for our favorite lunch destination. It's cheaper and tastes way better.

That is all.

18 holes accomplished again

• Posted by mcbeev on July 23, 2006
• 0 comments

Played Lincoln golf course today, and I got my first birdie of the year! Hurray! Scott and I ran through the course in a little over 3.5 hours, well actually we drove a little electric cart. I also chipped in from about 20 feet away from below a hill that I couldn't even see the cup. It was pretty cool, I almost didnt beleive Scott when he said it went in. 36 holes in one weekend, not bad, not bad at all.

Oh yeah pictures are up from the Nowaterball.com event on flickr.

18 holes accomplished

• Posted by mcbeev on July 23, 2006
• 0 comments

I golfed in the Brad Carmer Memorial outing today with Dan, Mark, and Bonny. Had a great time, and hit a few decent shots along the way. I have to golf tomorrow too, it's pretty rough sometimes.

I feel like an idiot with my new lawnmower. I thought I broke it last night when I used it for the first time. Nope, it's just fine as my dad pointed out to me.

Happy belated-birthday to my mom. Don't worry I called her and wished her well on her actual birthday.

Too much fresh air and alocoholic beverages for me today. Im out.

NoWaterBall.com hit's the road

• Posted by mcbeev on July 21, 2006
• 0 comments

In NoWaterball's first official event, we sponsored Amp'd at the Amphitheatre, an event to benefit the Kent Distric Library (KDL). My partners and I got out of our regular jobs a little early and started final setup for the event at the firehouse. I must say the booth turned out better than I expected. Good job team! I snapped a few pictures while we were there and will be uploading them shortly. Overall the event went nicely. The weather brightened up for us after some early morning rain, and the turnout was decent. Three bands entertained the crowd, Quadraphonic, Radio Messiah, and Away Message. I think Quadraphonic was my favorite. We didn't quite reach the amount of money I'd like to have for the library, but all and all a great time. Next week we will raise even more!

Net Neutrality III

• Posted by mcbeev on July 20, 2006
• 0 comments

Well as I mentioned earlier, I was not happy how my local congressman and his vote on Net Neutrality, I am impressed that he responded knowledgeably about the subject back to me. I can't say that I agree with his reasoning, but it is an interesting counter-point. His full response is below:

Dear Mr. McKeiver,

Thanks for your message about "network neutrality" for the Internet. I appreciate knowing your views.

This can be a confusing issue. In fact, at a recent congressional hearing, eight different experts gave eight different explanations for what "network neutrality" means. Generally speaking, I think it is fair to say that "net neutrality" is the idea that Internet service providers should not discriminate between types of Internet traffic transmitted over their networks.

Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted several principals related to broadband and the Internet: that consumers are entitled to access lawful Internet content, run applications and services of their choice, connect their choice of legal devices, and to competition among network, application and content providers. The House of Representatives recently approved legislation that would give the FCC authority to enforce these principles. The bill, which passed 321-101, gives the FCC the ability to impose $500,000 fines for violations of these principles.

Some people argue that this approach goes too far, and others think that it does not go far enough. On the one hand, some people say that without stronger mandates, Internet service providers will be free to discriminate and give favorable treatment to certain sites, content or services. An amendment was offered to the House bill by Rep. Markey that would prohibit broadband network providers from blocking, impairing, or interfering with the ability of anyone to access, use, send or receive lawful Internet content or services. It also would have mandated that if the network provider prioritizes or offers enhanced quality of service to data of a particular type, it must provide that same level of service to all data of that type, regardless of the origin, without imposing a charge for the prioritization or quality of service. Opponents argued that the government should steer clear of overly regulating the Internet. They argue that "net neutrality" regulation will stifle innovation and deter broadband investments that benefit consumers. The amendment failed to pass, 152-269. I voted against the amendment because I thought that the underlying bill struck the right balance between protecting Internet users and not overly regulating the Internet or deterring innovation and expansion in broadband.

I appreciate knowing your ideas on this issue. With best wishes, I am

Sincerely, Vernon J. Ehlers Member of Congress

Net Neutrality II

• Posted by mcbeev on July 16, 2006
• 0 comments

Ok, I just fell out of my chair laughing, no really I did. By now, you should know my stance on this topic. But if you still think Im crazy watch this video from the man in charge of regulating the internet in the Senate. How he got in charge I have no idea. But this is easily the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Oh, and for the record, and all you people in Alaska FOR GOD's SAKE DO NOT RELECT Ted Stevens! What a bumbling idiot.

Web Developing - Hurray!

• Posted by mcbeev on July 14, 2006
• 0 comments

This picture sums up why my job sucks so bad sometimes. Sigh.... width, offsetWidth, style.width, pixelWidth, and lets not even bring up the fact that it's totally different in every other browser. What the hell were you thinking Microsoft!!!!!

Oh well it's 5pm Im going home.

Some site browsing

• Posted by mcbeev on July 11, 2006
• 0 comments

Just doing some site browsing before I hit the sack for the night. If you like keeping up on latest news and all that jazz, I highly recommend popurls.com. Check this site out too. It's pretty cool to see the world's population pixels. There were more cool things, but im too lazy to link them all.

We finally got some decent rain here. I need all the help I can get with the new lawn.

Yesterday Dan and I golfed. It was the quickest round ever, just under 1 hour 20 mins, not bad for walking nine holes. I shot a 46, so I can't complain about that for once.

My phone is Hazardous

• Posted by mcbeev on July 6, 2006
• 0 comments

Yes, from this link,

The current model[Treo 650] does not comply with the RoHS Directive that came into effect on 1 July. The regulation limits the amount of hazardous material such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can be used in electronic devices.

So for all you Treo 650 users out there, maybe it's time for an upgrade ? I'd like to know exactly how it failed but haven't found out yet. Awesome, brain tumor here I come.

Net Neutrality

• Posted by mcbeev on July 6, 2006
• 0 comments

I'm not happy with how my rep voted so I wrote him tonight.

Representative Ehlers,

First, let me say that I have never contacted an elected member of the State of Michigan government. However, the issue of Network Neutrality is one that I feel strongly about, and your recent nay vote prompted me to write to you.

Second, I am a Software Engineer at a local Grand Rapids software company. It is not hard to see the connection that I have to this issue.

I urge you to reconsider your position on "Net Neutrality". “Net Neutrality” is the principle that “the network’s only job is to move data—not choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.” The only reason why the Internet has grown to become what it is today is because it is based on the concepts of being a free and open place for innovation. I feel strongly that if large telecommunication corporations are allowed to add another surcharge for different services, that they are not even providing, innovation on the internet will see a sharp decline.
 
Implementing “Net Neutrality” would leave the power in the consumer’s hands to decide on how they wish to use the internet and its unlimited amount of applications and services, no matter who owns the network. I would hate to see an internet that is shaped like cable television, where consumers can only choose from a package of channels that are bloated and not the exact channels they wish to view.

Sincerely

Home Projects Checklist

• Posted by mcbeev on July 4, 2006
• 0 comments

Babysat Maggie all day - 13 hours
Master bedroom curtains installed - 45 mins
Guest bathroom shower head changed - 5 mins
Lawncare supplies obtained - 1 hour
Grass fertilized - 30 mins
Weed Killer applied - 1 hour
Computers checked over - 1 hour
1 Bottle of Bicardi opened - $12.97
1 lime cut - $0.49
1 can of coke poured - $0.50
Awaiting darkness before fireworks on my own deck for the 4th of July - priceless, and the best rum and coke I have ever had.

Happy 4th of July

• Posted by mcbeev on July 4, 2006
• 0 comments

Mcbeev.com wishes you a happy holiday. In other news, it's a sad couple of days for Detroit sports fans. Ben Wallace and Stevie Y both are moving on. I can't believe the Pistons did not match the Bulls offer. I can understand Yzerman's reason for retiring though, he's been the captain of the Red Wings since I was 6 years old!

We're moved!

• Posted by mcbeev on July 3, 2006
• 0 comments

Yes that is right we are all moved in at our new house. Hurray! Overall the experience went pretty well on the actual day of moving. We had 3 movers from Two Men and a Truck, with a 26 foot truck, and they kicked some major furniture butt. I think it took about 4.75 hours but it was so worth it. Im so happy that I didnt have to touch our treadmill or china hutch, those things are beasts!

That, however, was the easy part. I have spent the last 2 days working on many household projects such as installing kitchen appliances, hanging window dressings, and traveling up and down the basement stairs about 300 times.

I'd like to thank my parents and Anne's parents, as well as, jay and everyone else who helped us move in. Without them we would probably still be at the old house.

To this point the craziest project has been installing the new stove. In not one of my better moments, we decided to buy an electric stove, when the house only had a gas setup... after I misinformed Jay that the electric box was right underneath the kitchen. Yeah it's not. It's all the way on the other side of the house. So two nights ago Jay and I ran about 110 ft of 8 guage wire all the way across the basement, and connected the stove up. It works great now, but we didnt finish that until almost midnight. If you have never seen 8 guage wire its about as thick as a quarter and is not light and costs about $1.60 a foot. Yeah it was great fun, and it works now.

Basically though all these projects are not as easy as they seem, and I definately tend to do things the hard way. Take the water line to the new fridge for instance. I struggled with it for way too long, and Jay fixed it in about 10 mins. Gaaaaah.

We are however very happy in the new place and you are all welcome to stop by and see us!